E3 is less than a week away. Excitement is in the air as gamers from around the world watch what the future of the video game industry holds for us. Highly anticipated games will be shown off to build up more excitement while new, unannounced games will be shown for the first time. It's a great time of year for anyone who simply enjoys video games.
One of the fun things about E3 comes just before, where we do our best to predict the announcements we'll see over the course of the event. So I thought I would participate in the fun and write up my own predictions. I've already predicted the conferences from Sony and Microsoft. Today is all about Nintendo.
It's no secret that Nintendo is struggling. While Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One are enjoying successful launches, Nintendo's Wii U has been struggling to find an audience. So much so that they had to drastically revise the console's sales projection from 9 million to 2.8 million, and still failed to meet that number. The 3DS, however, has been the company's bread and butter. But that wasn't always the case. The 3DS had a very slow launch before it became the money maker it is today. The handheld's journey is proof that Nintendo can turn something around and make it successful, and that is exactly what they will attempt to do with the Wii U at E3.
Choosing to forego a traditional E3 conference once again and instead opting for an online presentation has been a puzzling decision. But it wouldn't matter as long as the show makes people excited about the Wii U. What will be shown? Let me take at crack at that.
Zelda for Wii U will be Trailered; Zelda Teased as Playable Character
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises. The series' loyal fanbase has been eagerly anticipating news on the first proper HD title in the franchise ever since Nintendo showed a tech video for what such a game could look like. There are many people waiting for the next Zelda game so they can finally pick up a Wii U (including me). News on the next installment has been silent, but E3 will end that silence. Nintendo will show off a trailer for the new game, showcasing a few of the new features being introduced to the series. The biggest of which will be a tease of Princess Zelda being a playable character, marking the first time the title character will be featured in such a role.
Majora's Mask Remake Coming to 3DS
Keeping on with the Zelda news, Nintendo will announce a remake for the much overlooked Majora's Mask on the 3DS. Nintendo has been sort of teasing this game with the titular mask making an appearance in A Link Between Worlds as well as showing off Skull Kid as an assist trophy for the next Super Smash Bros. It will be in the vein of the remake for Ocarina of Time, featuring improved graphics and a master quest for veteran players.
100 GB Wii U Incoming
The Wii U currently comes included with a 32 GB hard drive. With the push to go all digital, 32 GB is simply not enough. So Nintendo will announce a new model to replace the current version with at least 100 GB of internal storage. It will arrive in time for the holidays and be bundled with a copy of Super Mario 3D World.
Pokemon Game Coming to Wii U
Pokemon is quite possibly Nintendo's biggest franchise worldwide. It is a series that anyone can enjoy, which is part of its appeal. Bringing this series to the struggling console makes perfect sense.
Last year, a mysterious image popped up during a Pokemon presentation. It features HD versions of Lucario and Blaziken in what looks like a battle. It can't be nothing, right? It could very well be a brand new entry in the popular franchise coming to Wii U, and E3 will be the place Nintendo unveils it. It could be the traditional Pokemon RPG people have been clamoring for or it could be a new entry in the long dormant Pokemon Stadium series. It could even be Pokemon Snap 2.
Bayonetta 2 Release Date Announced; Joining Smash Bros. Roster
Bayonetta 2 was officially announced as a Wii U exclusive back in 2012. There hasn't been much information on the title regarding a release window ever since, but during their presentation, Nintendo will finally announce that Bayonetta 2 will release in November of this year. But that won't be the only game the titular character will be appearing in. She will also join the roster for Super Smash Bros. Bayonetta makes perfect sense to join the much anticipated brawler. Her crazy fighting style would fit right in with the game. It could also serve as Nintendo fans first official introduction to the character ahead of her second outing.
Mario Kart 8 Will Be Getting DLC Tracks
Mario Kart 8 has been a breakout hit for the Wii U, selling 1.2 million copies in the first week. With strong review scores and the excitement surrounding the game, it could also be one of the Wii U's system sellers. Nintendo will keep the ball rolling by introducing a series of add-ons for the popular racer. The first track pack will be available immediately following the show and will be free for the first week.
Metroid Coming Back in a Big Way
The Metroid series has been absent for a long time. The last game in the series, The Other M, was a polarizing entry. Eager to keep that title as a distant memory, Nintendo will announce not one, but two new entries in the Metroid series.
The first of these games will be a new entry in the Metroid Prime series of games for the Wii U. Retro Studios will return to develop the title, introducing a new story following on from Metroid Prime 3 and showing off a robust multiplayer suite, giving the Wii U it's first killer app in the competitive multiplayer space.
The second of these games will a brand new 2D Metroid that many fans have been asking for, coming to the 3DS. It will feature the classic side-scrolling gameplay that Metroid and Castlevania made famous and will be coming this year.
Star Fox Returns as a Free-to-Play Game
The Star Fox series is another one of Nintendo's long dormant franchises. The last entry in the series was in the form of a Star Fox 64 remake for the 3DS. So I predict that one of Nintendo's final announcements will be the unveiling of a brand new, online only Star Fox game. It will feature multiplayer aerial battles for up to 12 players. You'll be able to rank up and unlock weapons and perks to customize your very own Arwing, with microtransactions in the form of paintjobs and decals for your ship. Better yet, it will free-to-play and be available to download on the Wii U eShop immediately after the show.
Thoughts on these predictions? Any of your own you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments!